Protector



4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

`Ian. 27, 1942. J, s, KIRBY PROTECTOR Filed May 22, 1959 JOHN s.K|RBY `.""""A I"""1"L V.. B v

Illll 6 Jan. 27, 1942. J. s. KIRBY 2,271,265

PROTECTOR Filed May 22, 1959 '4 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN S. KIRBY Jan. 27, 1942. J. s. KIRBY 2,271,265

K PROTECTOR Filed May 22, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

Jan. 27, 1942. J. sfKlRBY 2,271,265

PROTECTOR l Filed May 22, 1939 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 7 8 4 9 9 7 29:, 9/ a R. m wm, nnww... l# OY M ma zz, ER O W. O me. 2 Vm W 9 4l. 2 W. A 2 9 2. 4 2 l 2 s l 9 .\9 9 N L.. v 9./ .l .l H I i. 0v w .9 n: ,J :e v II 6 6 mme. 9 3 9 v A' 'AZ l 9 L'.

Patented 27, 1942 John S. Kirby, Indianapolis, Ind., assigner to Y The Hinde and Dauch Paper Company, Sandusky, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio "Application May zz, 1939, serial No. 275,017

z claims.

This invention relates to external protectors for articles packed in containers, boxes or crates,

such as furniture, refrigerators, radios, phonographs, signs, and in fact-any sort of article which mustbe kept away from theinner surface of a shipping container, and is for the purpose of preventing injury to the corners and edges of IO-HI, II-LII and I2`l2. respectively, of Fig.

'7,"in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is an inside perspective of another modification; n

Fig. 14 is the blank of Fig. 13;

Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are sections on -planes such" articles. A further purpose is to provide a protector of this nature which can be stored and shipped in flat condition, but which can be quickly and easily set up for use with various parts interengaging and holding one another in place.

'A diiiiculty with previous protectors of this character is that in order to provide sumcient thickness to give a satisfactory cushioning effect it has been necessary to assemble by adhesive between successive layers in their completed form and thus make. them vbulky and unwieldy to ship f and to store until needed for use, because a setup trihedral angular structure had to be dealt with instead of a dat blank. M y invention aims to avoid these disadvantages without detracting in any manner from the protecting properties, or from the ease of applying the protector to furniture or otherarticles.

In the accompanying illustrations, which show certain preferred and practical embodiments, the specimen shown is limited to a trihedral corner having relatively short sides, although it will be appreciated that the extensions beyond the corner may be of such dimensions as will be appropriate tothe objects to be protected and that the illustrations therefore are not intended as limitations upon the scope of the invention.

xIn the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of my improved protector viewed from the inside, also illustrating an intermediate stage of set-up by dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a perspectiveof the same corner, assembled, looking from the outside;

Fig. 3 illustrates the blank from which the corner is made; j

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on plane 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; v I

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on plane 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on plane Fig. l, looking downward;

Fig. 7 is an inside perspective of a modified protector, 'set up;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the same protector showing the folding of panels upon one another; Fig. 9 is the blank from which Fig. 7 is made; Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sections on planes 13, in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 18 is an inside Perspective of a further modification;

Fig. 19 is a perspective showing the folding of Fig.'18;

Fig. 20 is the blank of Fig. 18; and

Figs. 21, 22l and 23 are sectionson planes 2|2I, 22-22 and i3- 23, respectively, of Fig. 18, in the direction of the arrows.

Referring firstto the-various blanks for purposes of explanation, I rmake the blanks preferably fromr a single piece of corrugated board, double wall being best for most purposes because of the good cushioning effect, and-fold various portions ofthe blank on one another and into connection with one another as hereinafter explained. In the present illustrations the protectors are formed with two or three thicknesses of double wall board for the sides, equal to four or six plies of single wall corrugated board. The panelV arrangements are such as to interflt/ with and overlap one another in well defined manner, with a mutual retaining effect upon one another. 'I'his mutual retaining effect is suchth'at when the various panels of the protector are successively folded into correct mutual relation it is only necessary to hold the panel last folded'in order to keep the whole corner assembly firmly together. Such holding is most conveniently done by tongues engaging into notches (examples of which are shown in Figs. 5, y'I a'nd 13), `lout stapling (as in Fig. 6) or taping (as in`Fig.,-`l are alternatives. lThe tongue' is preferred Vcause it eliminates the need for a roll of "tap nd amoistener at the station where the corners arel set up from the flat blanks, and staplingji's not desirable where there is danger of scratching the portion of the packed article tok which the corner is applied. l f

The specic blanky of Fig. 3 comprisesa main panel or base Il divided by fold lines -I2 and I3 (dotted in Fig. 3) formingv a series of panels at one end yof the base and another seriesat one side of the base. An aperture I 6 is cut into or through the base Il parallel to the line I2, `and at an appropriate distance therefrom, to receive a locking tongue l1, in case-this method of fastening is to be used. A staple I1', Fig. 6, or a fastening tape, similar to 85', Fig. 16, or Illl, Fig. 18, might be used. Y Y. Y

The end series of panels, attached along the line I2l, comprise an outer wall I8, a top connector I9, and an inner wall 26, which last has the tongue l1 extending from its free edge as shown. 'I'he inner edge 24 of the wall, I8 is inwardly oiset from a projection of the hinge line I3 to allow for folding. and the panels I9 and 20 hinged along the outer edge to the connector 3l along a line 34.

A panel 35 slightly narrower than 30 is hinged to the corner end of 30 along line 36. 'I'he left edge 31 of panel 35 is offset to the right from the end of fold line I3 to the same extent as the leftward offset ofthe edge 24 of panel I8.

The right edge 36 of panel 35 is prolonged into panel 36, meeting the upper edge 39 of connector 3| andnicking into the upper right corner of panel 30. The edge 39 is prolonged to the right as a crease only, between the inner wall panel 33 and a connector 4I. The connector 4I is further hingedly connected to a panel 45 which extends in the same direction as panel 33 inthe blank. The left edge 41 of panel 45 continues down across the left edge of connector 4I and meets edge 39. Panels 33 and 45 and connector 4I are all terminated on' the right by the right edge 49 of the entire blank.

The use of connectors I9, 3I and 4I, and the offsetting of the various inner edges permit folding of the assembly without' crushing of plies, and with a square and trim appearance to the finished protector.

In assembling the protector each series of panels is bent upwardly at right angles along lines I2 and I3, respectively,.and then the panels of each series are suitably interfolded to for\m two side walls 50 and 5I, locked together at the corner. In the present illustrative embodiment each'of these side walls is of the same thickness, and since two plies of corrugated board have been taken as the basis, the side walls will each be six plies thick.

The details of the preferred method of interfolding to set the panel up according to Fig. 1 are as follows:

Panel 45 is folded over onto 33, with the connector 4I acting as a double hinge line at 43 and 44 to give a flat position. Panel 35 is turned 90 around the hinge line 36, and 30 is turned 90 around the hinge line I3, thus bringing edge 31 of panel 35 down against the base I I between the upper edge of I6 and the fold line I2. The unit 33-45 is turned as far inward as it will go around the double hinge 34, 3|, 32, which brings the panels 33 and 30 into a parallel position at right angles to the base II, with panel 45 sandwiched between them. All parts arel completing the assembly with all parts in the full line position of Fig. 1.

Thus the'panel 35 serves as an interlock to hold sides 56 and 5I at right angles to the base Il and to'each other particularly to prevent the sides from spreading out, while the article to which the protector is applied prevents the panel 20 from lifting to free the tongues I1. There is also a binding effect between the face of panel 33 near its edge, and the inner end 25 of panel 26, the end 25 being oil'set just enough to bear firmly upon 33 without crushing.

In describing the blank of Fig. 9, the panel 6I is takenas the rst panel, connected at 54 to a side panel 55, which folds 180 onto panel 6|, and is also connected at 56 to a series of panels 62 to 68 inclusive successively attached to one another by hinging creases (dotted lines) with a bridging connector 51 between thethird and fourth panels,` that is between 63 and 64. A tongue 58 on the outer edge of 64 is adapted .to engage a notch 58 in panel 6I. The fifth,

sixth, seventh and eighth panels of the series, that is 65 to 68 inclusive are a collective group hinged to the upper edge of panel 62, which is the onlyv connection between this group and the second, third and fourth panels. In ldetail this last group comprises a panel 65 hinged to 62, with a narrower panel 66 of the same length as the height of 63hinged to one end of 65 and thus adjacent to but4 severed from the upper edge of 63. On the upper edge of panel 65 there is a bridging connector 6I by which panel 61 is attached. Panel 61 carries an extension panel 68 hinged at 59 to its outer end and parallel to 66.

Suitable clearance is provided as at 19, 1I and 12 for thickness of material in folding.

'I'he method of setting up is illustrated by Fig. 8. Panel 55 is folded 180 around its connector 54 and thus' brought under panel 6I. These two panels together are then turned around the connector 56 tobring both on top of 62, thus forming the base of the protector. Notch 58' is exposed. Panels 65 and 63 are brought up 90 around their respective fold lines, thus abutting against the combined edges of 55 and 6I,

and against the connector 54, respectively.

The protector shown in Fig. 13 is made from ablank, Fig. 14, having two parallel sets of panels 1I--13-15-11 and 12-14-'I6. The panels 1I and 12 are hingedly connected side by side, with the other panels of each series hinged to the upper edges of the corresponding one of these first-named panels, but the two series are fully separated otherwise, as shown by full lines.

Suitable connector strips 19, 86 and 8I, defined by creases, are interposed where necessary' to allow successive panels to be folded 180 with respect to one another, and a clearance cut 82 is made between the panels 15 and 16 to allow proper edge space for folding and matching.` A

' notch 83 in panel 1I is adapted to receive a protector is to leavepanels 13, 1

' tongue 85 in the far edge of panel 11. Other fastenings, such as the tape 85', Fig. 16, might be used.

A convenient method of setting up this specific anat, tum 1| and 12 completely over on top of them, then to bring 12 up 90 with respect to 1I (see Fig. 17), and at the same time turn 16 through an angle of with respect to 14, and ilat against the inner face of 15, which is brought up at a-right angle to 13. Panel 11 is then folded down over 16 and tongue 85 is put into the notch 83, thus interpanel, iand third and fourth panels, said third,

locking the entire assembly. This specific protector has sides of two thicknesses of the material of the blank and a base of three thicknesses.

The protector shown in Fig. 18 has three walls of equal thickness. each two plies.- The blank is of two symmetrical parts, consistingpf panels 9| and 92 with a vhinge 90 creased between them whereby they may be folded into face to'vface relationship. Each of the panels 9| and 92 serves as a base to which further sets ofpanels 93-95 and 94-96, respectively, are attached to successive connectors .9i- 99, in one set and 99|00 in the other. The series 99-95 is separated from the series 94-96 by a slotv to lpermit necessary clearance of edges in setting up.

The steps of folding arez shown in Fig. 19,l and consist-of turning 9|-92 over on top `of 93-94, then turning 92 up on hinge 90 at a right angle to 9|. Panels 95 and 96 are each turned perpendicular to 93 and 94 respectively with 96 against the inner face of 95. To assemble this protector, the panels 93 and 94 are left flat, and the panels 9|, 92 folded 180 about the connectors 91, 99, thereby bringing 92 face down upon 94 and 9| face down upon 93. 92 is now bent up at 90 around the hinge line 90, and 96 is bent at 90 around the connector |00, .and these parts brought to approximately the position of Fig. 19, followed by bringing panel 95 up at 90 to 93 and on the outside of 96 so that the assembly takes the form shown in Fig. 18. If it is important ,to maintain the set-up of the protector before it is applied, the panels 95 and 96 may be fastended together by appropriate means, such as tape |0l.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have invented a corner protector made from a 'single blank which can be left fiat until needed, and set up quickly and firmly with a few deft mo- .tions when ready for use, and which gives the article being packed the protection of several more thicknesses than compose the original blank.

-The foregoing description, and the drawings,

are to be taken as illustrative only, reference being made to the following claims to the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A corner protector comprising in combination a blank divided into a plurality of foldable panels, the first of said panels having a notch at one edge and a rseries of other panels hinged to the edge opposite the notch: a single panel hinged to an edge of said rst-named panel between said notched edge and the edge to which the series is hinged; said series comprising a define second panel immediately hinged to said first panel being hinged to said second panel parallel to the first panel hinge line, and 'said fourth panel being hinged to said third panel parallel to the third panel hinge line-and tonguad on the edge remote from the hinge to engage said notch; a fifth panel hinged to an edge of the second panel at right angles to the first and third panel hinge lines, and a sixth panel hinged to an edge of the fifth along a line substantially in prolongation of the third panel inner hinge. line, a seventh panel hinged to the fifth ,on a line parallel to the second panel hinge line. and an eighth panel hinged to the seventh and extending parallel to the sixth; said single being foldable to overlap the first. said first and single together being foldable to overlap the second,

said eighth being foldable to overlap the seventh,

said seventh with eighth overlapped beingfoldable to overlap the fifth, said fifth being foldable to 'form a right dihedral angle with the second, said third being foldable to a right dihedral angle with the second having the sixth interfacially engaged between the third and fourth.

2. A cornerprotector comprising in combina@ tion a blank divided into a plurality4 of foldable panels. the first of said panels having a series of other panelshinged to one edge; a single panel hinged to an edge of said first panel adjacent the edge to which the series is hinged; said series comprising a second -panel immediately hinged to said first panel, and third and fourth panels, said third panel being hinged to said second panel parallel to the first panel hinge line,vand said fourth panelbeing hinged to said third panel parallel to the third panel hinge line; a fifth panel hinged to an edge of the second panel at right angles to the first and third panel hinge lines, and a sixth panel hinged to an edge of the fifth along a line substantially in prolongation of the third panel inner hinge line,

a seventh panel hinged to the fifth on a line parallel to the second panel hinge line, and an eighth panel hinged to the seventh and extending parallel to the sixth; said single being foldable to overlap the first, said first and single together being foldable to overlap the second, said eighth being foldable to overlap the seventh, said seventh with eighth overlapped being foldable to overlap the fifth, said fifth being foldable to form a right dihedral angle with the second, said third being foldable to a right dihedral angle with the second, having the sixth interfacially engaged between the third and fourth.

JOHN S. KIRBY. 

